Annual Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Kicks Off 2017 Great American Outdoor Show

The world’s biggest celebration of the outdoor lifestyle returns better than ever, as the 2017 Great American Outdoor Show opens Saturday, February 4th at 9 a.m.!

The leaders from the NRA joined their valued contemporaries from the Hershey-Harrisburg Regional Visitor’s Bureau and event sponsor Kahr Arms for the annual ribbon cutting ceremony at the Sheraton Hershey-Harrisburg, signifying the start of the nine-day outdoor extravaganza at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Now in its fourth season with the NRA producing, the show remains an integral economic driver for not only the City of Harrisburg and surrounding Dauphin County, but the entire central Pennsylvania region. Last year, the show was responsible for a $75 million economic boom to the region, bringing upwards of 200,000 visitors from 47 states.

According to NRA President Allan Cors, the Great American Outdoor Show is a time-honored Pennsylvania tradition that has become a national destination event.

“It’s an honor and privilege to once again be here amongst friends in Harrisburg as we prepare to host yet another incredible Great American Outdoor Show. Pennsylvania is most certainly NRA country, as we have over 900,000 NRA members within 300 miles of here,” Cors said. “We’re able to continue hosting this annual celebration of the outdoors because of the invaluable support of this great community, who year after year keep coming out and making this show a success.”

In a region that embraces outdoor traditions – Pennsylvania issues more hunting licenses than any other state – NRA 2nd Vice President Richard Childress affirmed the organization’s continued commitment to protecting the future of sportsmen’s rights.

“There’s not a better place in the country to be right now for hunters than here at the Great American Outdoor Show,” Childress said, “and there’s not another organization that understands and supports American hunters better than the National Rifle Association.”

The Great American Outdoor Show opens Feb. 4, and runs through Feb. 12. With more than 1,100 exhibitors filling 650,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, there’s something for all outdoor enthusiasts.